synching mail across devices

Question

Level 1

4 points

synching mail across devices

I've been helping a friend with email on her iPad. She actually has two iPads, one for her and one for her husband. They also have a laptop each. They share one email address (BT Mail) between them, and access it on all four devices. The problem they are having is that although the inboxes etc appear to be synching properly, when an email is sent from one device they are unable to check the sent email on all four devices. So for example, if iPad #1 sends an email, if laptop #2 is the first to look in the sent mail on the email account they will see that sent email, but none of the other devices will ever download it - it's as though laptop #2 got there first!

I've checked all the settings in her BT Mail, as of course my first thought was that a copy wasn't being left on the server after a mail client is used, but unfortunately BT Mail no longer has the option to check/uncheck a box. I went through a long online-chat with BT tech support, at the end of which I was just told to contact Apple.

Does anyone out there have any ideas?

Many thanks.

iPad Mini

Posted on Jan 5, 2015 11:15 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan 5, 2015 11:23 AM in response to katiedrew

Sounds like the Sent folder isn't syncing, only being stored locally.The laptops are probably configured differently. Go into Settings > Mail Contacts Calendars > And then tap the BT Account. Go to advanced (at the bottom) - you'll have to put that iPad into portrait to see it! Then, tap 'Sent Mailbox'. Likely that On my iPad Sent is ticked. Under the subheading 'On the server' - tap Sent. Sent emails from the iPads will now be stored on the server, and thus synced as apposed to being stored locally. Be sure to replicate this on both iPads.

Hope it helps ;-)

Reply

Answer 2

Sooner Al

Level 2

275 points

Jan 5, 2015 2:47 PM in response to katiedrew

Using POP3 email. If so you seen this?

Using a POP account with more than one device - Apple Support

A better solution is if your email provider uses IMAP. IMAP sync email folders between multiple devices. Meaning any device will receive the email, all sent email can be seen on the devices. If you delete email from one device the email is deleted from all the other devices. Check with your email provider to see if they offer IMAP services.

If they do not your choices are to 1) configure email on the PC to keep Mail on the mail server or 2) change email providers to something like Gmail or Outlook.com (as examples). FWIW I use Cox IMAP email and fully sync email between a Win 8.1 Update 1 laptop, a Win 7 desktop, an iPad 4, an iPhone 4 and an iPhone 5S.

Reply